Scientists Discover Dragon
A new species of monitor lizard closely related to the Komodo dragon has been discovered by German scientists in Indonesia.
The discovery was made after close examination of the new specimen using morphological characteristics and DNA analysis. Taxonomically classified as Varanus lirungensis, the new species “illustrates the high diversity of monitor lizards in Indonesia,” according to André Koch, who found the lizard.
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Varanus lirungensis is described in the latest issue of the Australian Journal of Zoology. Discovered on the Talaud Islands, a small Indonesian archipelago, the new species is carnivorous like all other monitor lizards, and it is closely related to the giant Komodo dragon and the crocodile monitor. Researchers were surprised by the discovery, since they had originally arrived to study another species of monitor, the Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator).
The find should help to fill in some crucial gaps of knowledge about how flora and fauna migrated and diverged throughout the Southeast Asian islands, which are home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity.
Researchers warn, however, that the discovery could come as a mixed blessing. “As monitor lizards are exploited for the international trade in live animals and reptile leather, small island populations could soon be eliminated” explained Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wägele. In other words, poachers and traders could target the new species because of its status as an unknown species, which can mark up its value. Yet at the same time, new species like Varanus lirungensis can only be protected if they are identified and studied.
Sure, Varanus lirungensis doesn’t have wings and spit fire, and it may not be a dragon per se, but this fierce little lizard still conjures up traits of its larger dragon-like cousins. Who’s to say it can’t be the stuff of reptilian legend?
Image Credit: André Koch
[...] A new species of monitor lizard closely related to the Komodo dragon has been discovered by German scientists in Indonesia.The discovery was made after close examination of the new specimen using morphological characteristics and DNA analysis. Taxonomically classified as Varanus lirungensis, the new species “illustrates the high diversity of monitor lizards in Indonesia,” according to André Koch, who found the lizard….more via Scientists Discover Dragon : EcoWorldly. [...]
If only it had wings..
Dragons don’t have wings? This is not a dragon if it does not have wings.
So, Samuel, what about unicorns? Do they have self destuct-buttons in their horns that have erased them from the fossil record?
Just a sub-species of a VERY common varanid. They will probably be sold to the food markets in China before being sent to keepers in other countries who would captive propogate them. Sad……….
samuel hay i think ur the first person 2 agree with my theory so good job on it
Hafa Adai (Hello) From Guam USA,
This photo looks like our monitor lizard on Guam. I believe they are the same species. How could it have just been discovered now? We have lived with this around us for decades maybe longer. I am no expert, but I would be interested to find out if they are the same. If there is interest, maybe we can post a picture on our website.
Just stumbled into your blog. Nice site you have! =)
Okay, lets see here. Dinosaurs living in last few 1000 years. That’s very interesting as yet no remains of dinosaurs have been found dating under a million years. Just like Lock Ness. Well, its interesting that dinosaurs disappeared 17,000 yrs before the lake was created by ice flows and a fault line. Wait, I’ve got it, this four Finned creature crawled on its belly over steep mountains to get into the lake. No, no it was in the ice which melted, after after sliding down a fault line so hard and so long it created the depression of the lake. Then thawed and came to life. That is great that dinosaurs have figured out naturally how to freeze themselves and come back to life. Maybe we can figure that one out
If that is a Dragon there must be a Giant holding it.